No more milkshakes for Val this summer until she runs a 5k for the VWC and MJ

Gotta work out so I can hold up my Huzzah banner for long lengths of time.

Running after raccoons!

I love the Vermont Workers' Center and Migrant Justice. I want to help them raise money even though I live in North Carolina now.

There are a few reasons why I'm going to Race for Human Rights this summer. I'm choosing to run the CMY5k in Seattle on August 12. I just happen to be on the road when I'm supposed to race!

Why am I running?

1) I've been working with the Vermont Workers' Center since last Fall and I love it. Being able to do work that I love is the whole point of doing consulting (check out my business - Aril Consulting).

2) I'm ridiculously out of shape. And, since I've known I was going to do this, I have had one too many milkshakes lately.

3) I really truly believe that Vermont can lead the way. What I mean is that things are happening in Vermont that should be happening through the rest of the country--universal healthcare by 2017 (and a system that's a human right and public good), a state budget with a purpose of meeting everyone's fundamental needs, the live and let be attitude there (a radical contrast to the "what church do you belong to and are you married" questions I get here in NC), no billboards, beautiful environment. There's still a lot of work to do but Vermonters have a fire in their belly and are taking back their democracy. I love it. I love that when I would call my state senator there he would call me back from his cell phone. I learned I had to really know about the issue I was calling about.

Ok, enough about how much I love Vermont. I am hoping that you can help me reach my goal of $1,000. Everything will go to the VWC, Migrant Justice, and continue the good work that's happening in Vermont - good work that I'm proud to be a part of.